Nelson Vasquez
Actor
Nelson Vasquez – American actor, dancer, and choreographer of Puerto Rican descent, born in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City (no publicly recorded birthday). His parents emigrated from Lares, Puerto Rico. He began his career as a break dancer during the 1980s hip hop explosion, became a professional dancer and choreographer (touring with Aretha Franklin), and made his acting debut in the Off-Broadway play Blade to the Heat at The Public Theater, directed by George C. Wolfe. He worked with Spike Lee on four films.
His most notable film roles include Stevie's Friend in Do the Right Thing (1989), a Pimp in The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990), a Blanco Associate in Carlito's Way (1993), a Subway Robber in Money Train (1995), Skicap in Extreme Measures (1996), Ronnie in Girl 6 (1996), Officer Cruz in Summer of Sam (1999), Tito Goya in Piñero (2001, opposite Benjamin Bratt), Manny in Carlito's Way: Rise to Power (2005), and Johnny Pacheco in El Cantante (2006, opposite Marc Anthony, for which he was nominated for a Paoli Award). On television he is best known for Correction Officer Eugene Rivera in Oz (1997–2002, HBO), and guest appearances in Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NYPD Blue, and New York Undercover.
Known for
Carlito's Way
November 10, 1993
Do the Right Thing
June 14, 1989
Money Train
November 21, 1995
The Bonfire of the Vanities
December 21, 1990
Summer of Sam
June 28, 1999
Extreme Measures
September 27, 1996
El Cantante
September 12, 2006
Girl 6
March 22, 1996
Carlito's Way: Rise to Power
September 27, 2005
'R Xmas
December 14, 2001
Street Hunter
November 2, 1990
Piñero
October 5, 2001
Acting19
- 2009Sacred Game
- 2006El Cantante as Johnny Pacheco
- 2005Carlito's Way: Rise to Power as Manny
- 2001'R Xmas as Niece's Husband
- 2001Piñero as Tito Goya
- 2001The Way She Moves as Armand
- 2001Home Invaders as Manny
- 1999Summer of Sam as Officer Cruz
- 1998A Brooklyn State of Mind as Cessie
- 1996Extreme Measures as Skicap